The British Dental Association has paid tribute to its past president His Royal Highness Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, following the news of his death on April 9.
The duke was made an honorary member in 1957 and remained a constant supporter of the association's work. In 1980 he was appointed president of honour, marking the centenary of the BDA.
Writing in his presidential address in 1980, the Prince Philip wrote, "If the association feels that a hundred years is worth celebrating, I can only say that millions of dental patients will join them in their celebration, if only in thanksgiving for the vast improvement and progress in dental treatment that has taken place in that period and for the development of the concept of prevention as of equal importance to treatment."
The association has extended its condolences to Her Majesty the Queen, the association's royal patron.
BDA president Russ Ladwa said, "The BDA has lost an honorary member, a past president, and a firm believer in the role dentists play in improving the health of the nation.
"Over 40 years ago the duke set out a vision on prevention that was ahead of its time and remains our goal.
"The association salutes the foresight of my predecessor, and on behalf of this profession let me extend our condolences to our patron, Her Majesty the Queen, and to the royal family."